Coffey taking care of ball at Syracuse

Rachel Coffey was a dominant high school girls' basketball player, perhaps Section 9's best all-around guard in the last 15 years.

Sal Interdonato

Rachel Coffey was a dominant high school girls' basketball player, perhaps Section 9's best all-around guard in the last 15 years.

Coffey could take over a game with a jumper, a drive, a dish or defense for Kingston. The Tigers won four straight Section 9 Class AA titles with Coffey at the controls.

Now in her third year of college, Coffey focuses on one part of her game — ball handling.

"Yeah, I want to get my assists, but I'm more happy if I don't turn the ball over," said Coffey, a Syracuse junior point guard.

Coach Quentin Hillsman said Coffey's leadership and game have played an important part in Syracuse's 13-1 start. Coffey has embraced her position as a backup to freshman Cornelia Fondren and provided a spark.

"Rachel is playing really well this year," Hillsman said. "She is doing a very good job in her role this year, which is being a caretaker of the offense. She is doing a very good job with Cornelia Fondren, teaching her everything she needs to do in our offense."

Coffey's keeping her promise of valuing the ball. She's had one turnover or fewer and six assists or more in seven of Syracuse's 14 games.

"I'll contribute any way I can for the team," said Coffey, who ranks third in the Big East with 4.8 assists per game. "I'm a point guard coming off the bench right now. If I have to score, I'll score, but mainly I'm in there to pass the ball."

Coffey said a strong finish to her sophomore year has given her confidence this season. She averaged 13.3 points and 5.5 assists in Syracuse's four wins in the postseason Women's National Invitational Tournament.

Syracuse is four spots away from breaking into the Associated Press Top 25 this season. Coffey has her sights set on Syracuse taking its next postseason step.

"I just really want to make it to the NCAA tournament this year," said Coffey, who averages 5.9 points in 20 minutes per game. "It's my third year and I still haven't made it. Our team goal is to make the tournament."

Hillsman thinks Coffey's play may determine his team's postseason fate.

"She has been an awesome teammate and a great leader," Hillsman said. "She is playing big minutes for us and, as I always say, our success depends a lot on how she plays, and she is playing really well right now."